Large Insulin Price Hike to Be Investigated by US Congress

Currently, there is no effective generic alternative to brand-name insulin

(HealthDay News) — The soaring cost of insulin will be investigated as the US Congress holds hearings into the high cost of prescription drugs, a lawmaker says.

“I have heard stories about people reducing their lifesaving medicines, like insulin, to save money,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the Associated Press reported. “This is unacceptable and I intend to specifically get to the bottom of the insulin price increase.”

The American Medical Association says insulin prices rose nearly 200% between 2002 and 2013 and has called on the government to investigate the huge increase, the AP reported. Currently, there is no effective generic alternative to brand-name insulin costing hundreds of dollars a month. The insulin market is dominated by a few companies, including Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly, the AP reported.

The House Oversight and Reform Committee is holding its own hearings into drug industry pricing practices, and requests for detailed information have been sent to 12 major manufacturers. Research suggests that price spikes of a few years ago have eased, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the drug industry says government price regulation will stifle innovation and deprive patients of timely access to new medications, the AP reported.